What are the online rules for copyrights?

Question

As I understand it, any original material posted on the internet is legally copyrighted by the original poster of that material. Would this apply to information posted in forums? If I wanted information deleted, such as an essay or story, could I force the owner of the forums to delete them if I'm unable to? What about posts that quote my original post?

Answer 1

Hi,

the rules for copyright are very simple (and very complicated) The first writer of any material holds the copyright. However, it can be very difficult to prove you were the first.

It is possible to 'officially copyright' any material to protect your rights. If this is done and the registration is confirmed you will hold the copyright and you will be able to prevent its subsequent publishing, or sue to get recompense. Publishing on the net is one way of establishing a 'first published' date, but, of course this is not always conclusive. For example, if you were to read something in a book, newspaper or other publication and then posted that onto the web, you would NOT have copyright, the person who produced the original version would hold that.

So...if you are worried, get your material registered (it doesn't cost much-certainly not in the UK, where you merely notify the patent office or, for written material, the British Library) you will have a similar office where you live.

Good luck...you CAN take action against people using your material, provided you can prove the earlier publication.

The rules for fora depend on the 'sign up' agreement you signed to join the forum. It would be a little churlish to post something on the forum for discussion and then complain that someone quoted your material, wouldn't it?

Cheers,

BobSpain

Answer 2

Try looking that up in Wikipedia, thats a good question